QUESTION 15
GS2
15 marks
Discuss the role of the Election Commission of India in light of the evolution of the Model Code of Conduct.
WRITE IN
11 min
250 words
What the examiner wants
Discuss the Election Commission's role through the evolution of the Model Code of Conduct.
DiscussExplain the different sides of the issue, use evidence, and finish with a balanced view.
Demand-wise check
- 1Evolution: Kerala 1960, national code 1968, expanded through the 1990s (T.N. Seshan era), added manifesto rules (2013)≈65 words
- 2Role: enforcement without statutory backing, use of Article 324 powers, cVIGIL app≈65 words
- 3Issues: delays, uneven enforcement, social media, demand for statutory status≈65 words
Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.
Answer plan
Article 324MCC evolution timelineRole in enforcementChallengesReformsConclusion
Where marks usually go
- Not tracing the evolution, which is the core of the question
- Ignoring debate on making MCC legally binding
Draw this
- Timeline: 1960 → 1968 → 1991 → 2013 → cVIGIL
Value addition
- Case lawS. Subramaniam Balaji v. State of Tamil Nadu (2013) led the ECI to add guidelines on manifestos to the MCC.Supreme Court of India, 2013
- ReportThe Parliamentary Standing Committee (2013) recommended making the MCC statutory; ECI opposed it fearing delay.Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Ritika Chitlangia · Page 53 ↗Reviewed PYQ reference
- Abhishek Singh · Page 53 ↗Reviewed PYQ reference
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 11 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Aditya Srivastava · AIR 1 · Page 5 ↗Same syllabus reference
Links open original public sources. MainsBuddy does not host these answer sheets.
Next: plan for one minute, write it in 11 minutes, then get it checked.